The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a food vendor in Lagos, Chinelo Okorom Lynnette, 36, for allegedly smuggling 685 grammes of cocaine inserted in her vagina. A statement sigtned by the agency’s head of public affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said anti-narcotic operatives apprehended her at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chinelo Okorom lynnetteNDLEA commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar said that the suspect ingested few wraps and inserted others in her vagina. “The suspect tested positive for drug ingestion and vaginal insertion. She however expelled a total of 685 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine while under observation at the airport,” Hamza stated.
In her statement, the suspect disclosed that she was deceived into drug trafficking under the guise of importing female bags.
“I am a food vendor at Ajangbadi, Lagos and have never been involved in crime. I am a victim of man’s cruelty to man. My husband abandoned me with four children two years ago. I work hard to pay their fees and ensure their proper upkeep. The last straw that devastated me was when the landlord forcefully ejected me.
“I had nowhere to turn to for solace. I was crying like a baby when a man came to console me. I have never met him in my life. He asked me to wipe my tears and promised to introduce me to importation business. I felt he was God sent until he sponsored my trip to Addis Ababa. When I got to Ethiopia, he told me to take cocaine to Nigeria. Initially I disagreed but he threatened to recover his investment at all cost” the suspect stated.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that drug traffickers always change routes and tactics.
“Going to Addis Ababa to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria is one of the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates. Cocaine is not known to come from Addis but we were able to detect it because of our vigilance. We are prepared to counter the activities of drug kingpins and bring them to justice. We look forward to fruitful progress in our investigation,” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss urged members of the public to be cautious of the tricks employed by drug syndicates adding that the suspect’s action is shameful.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.